During its time of rule only three other countries gave it diplomatic recognition; Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The Taliban imposed a form of strict sharia law, forcing women to wear burkas and men to grow their beards. It introduced severe punishments, such as public executions and amputations, and banned music and television.

Following its ousting the Taliban began a campaign of insurgency in Afghanistan and has become the major threat to both foreign forces and the Afghan government.

Who will represent the Taliban at the talks?

The Taliban representatives in Doha are from what is called the Quetta Shura. They are the rump of the former Afghanistan government, who fled to Pakistan after the 2001 invasion. They call themselves representatives of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the name of the former government.

According to counter-insurgency expert David Kilcullen, it is not yet clear who this group can speak for.

"That's one of the things that's going to come out very clearly once these talks start later this week when we see who's on the other side of the table," he said.

"(The Taliban opening the Doha office) is going back to an old approach which Mullah Omar, the political head of the Taliban and the military leadership of the Taliban had already agreed to, so on balance it's a positive sign that they're actually genuinely ready to negotiate."